Ryan Ludwick

Ryan Ludwick graduated from Durango High School and went on to enroll at UNLV. After playing three years for the Rebels, he finished his career among the school’s leaders in batting average (.363) and home runs (43).

Ludwick was then chosen in the second round (60th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Oakland A’s. After overcoming various injuries, he became a starting outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 and his career took off from there.

He made the NL All Star Team in 2008 and went on to hit 37 home runs and knock in 113 that same year. Ludwick went on to win the Silver Slugger Award at the end of the 2008 season for this impressive offensive performance.

Ludwick batted right handed and threw left handed, a rare combination. He has the most home runs in a single season for any player in MLB history with that combination.

He played for six Major League teams and finished his career in 2014 after amassing 154 homeruns, 587 RBI and a batting average of .260.

Currently, you can still find him at the ballpark, serving as a Special Advisor for the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League affiliates.

He and his wife, Joanie, have one son – Stetsen – chosen for his affinity for Stetson hats and one daughter, Brantley.